Republican commissioner resigns

Marc Spitzer, a Republican member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, announced his resignation yesterday.

Spitzer, a George W. Bush appointee whose five-year term expired June 30, has been recusing himself from issues related to wholesale sales of electricity and transmission, energy infrastructure and hydropower projects. His resignation becomes effective tomorrow.

Among those being discussed as possible replacements for Spitzer are Tony Clark, president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and chairman of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, and Patrick McCormick III, special counsel for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s ranking Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska (E&E Daily, Nov. 8).

FERC’s five members are nominated by the president and must be confirmed by the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who provides input on Republican nominees, was not immediately available for comment.

Spitzer is a former member of the Arizona Corporation Commission and former member of the Arizona Senate. He has a long record of support for renewable energy and conservation programs.